System and method for monitoring overheat of a compressor

A system and method for monitoring an overheat condition of a compressor is provided. A compressor connected to an evaporator. A suction sensor outputs a suction signal corresponding to a temperature of refrigerant entering the compressor. A control module is connected to the evaporator sensor and the suction sensor and determines an evaporator temperature, calculates a suction superheat temperature based on the evaporator temperature and the suction signal, and monitors an overheat condition of the compressor by comparing the suction superheat with a predetermined suction superheat threshold.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  ·  References Cited  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/978,312, filed on Oct. 8, 2007. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/978,258, filed on Oct. 8, 2007. The entire disclosures of each of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to compressors and more particularly to a system and method for monitoring an overheat condition of a compressor.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Compressors may be used in a wide variety of industrial and residential applications to circulate refrigerant within a refrigeration, heat pump, HVAC, or chiller system (generically “refrigeration systems”) to provide a desired heating or cooling effect. In any of the foregoing applications, the compressor should provide consistent and efficient operation to insure that the particular application (i.e., refrigeration, heat pump, HVAC, or chiller system) functions properly. A variable speed compressor may be used to vary compressor capacity according to refrigeration system load. Operating parameters of the compressor and of the refrigeration system may be used by protection, control, and diagnostic systems to insure optimal operation of the compressor and refrigeration system components. For example, evaporator temperature and/or condenser temperature may be used to diagnose, protect, and control the compressor and other refrigeration system components.

SUMMARY

A system is provided comprising a compressor connected to an evaporator, a suction sensor that outputs a suction signal corresponding to a temperature of refrigerant entering the compressor, and a control module connected to the evaporator sensor and the suction sensor that determines an evaporator temperature, calculates a suction superheat temperature based on the evaporator temperature and the suction signal, and monitors an overheat condition of the compressor by comparing the suction superheat with a predetermined suction superheat threshold and that adjusts at least one of a speed of the compressor and an expansion valve associated with the compressor based on the monitoring.

In other features, the control module stops the compressor when the suction superheat is greater than the predetermined suction superheat threshold.

In other features, the predetermined suction superheat threshold is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

In other features, the control module determines whether the suction superheat is within a predetermined suction superheat range, an upper limit of the predetermined suction superheat range corresponding with the predetermined suction superheat threshold.

In other features, the predetermined suction superheat range is between thirty degrees Fahrenheit and fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the predetermined suction superheat threshold is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

In other features, the control module adjusts the speed of the compressor when the control module determines that the suction superheat is within the predetermined suction superheat range for a predetermined time period.

A method is provided comprising determining an evaporator temperature of an evaporator connected to a compressor, receiving a suction signal that corresponds to a temperature of refrigerant entering the compressor, calculating a suction superheat temperature based on the evaporator temperature and the suction signal, monitoring an overheat condition of the compressor by comparing the suction superheat with a predetermined suction superheat threshold and adjusting at least one of a speed of the compressor and an expansion valve associated with the compressor based on the monitoring.

In other features, the method includes stopping the compressor when the suction superheat is greater than the predetermined suction superheat threshold.

In other features, the predetermined suction superheat threshold is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

In other features, the method includes determining whether the suction superheat is within a predetermined suction superheat range, an upper limit of the predetermined suction superheat range corresponding with the predetermined suction superheat threshold.

In other features, the predetermined suction superheat range is between thirty degrees Fahrenheit and fifty degrees Fahrenheit and the predetermined suction superheat threshold is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

In other features, the method includes adjusting the speed of the compressor when the suction superheat is within the predetermined suction superheat range for a predetermined time period.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of refrigeration system.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a compressor.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating steps for an algorithm according the present teachings.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing discharge super heat correlated with suction super heat and outdoor temperature.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing discharge line temperature correlated with evaporator temperature and condenser temperature.

FIG. 6 is a graph sowing an operating envelope of a compressor.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

As used herein, the terms module, control module, and controller refer to one or more of the following: An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, computer readable medium refers to any medium capable of storing data for a computer. Computer-readable medium includes, but is not limited to, memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, CD-ROM, floppy disk, magnetic tape, other magnetic medium, optical medium, or any other device or medium capable of storing data for a computer.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary refrigeration system 5 includes a compressor 10 that compresses refrigerant vapor. While a specific refrigeration system is shown in FIG. 1, the present teachings are applicable to any refrigeration system, including heat pump, HVAC, and chiller systems. Refrigerant vapor from compressor 10 is delivered to a condenser 12 where the refrigerant vapor is liquefied at high pressure, thereby rejecting heat to the outside air. The liquid refrigerant exiting condenser 12 is delivered to an evaporator 16 through an expansion valve 14. Expansion valve 14 may be a mechanical or electronic valve for controlling super heat of the refrigerant. The refrigerant passes through expansion valve 14 where a pressure drop causes the high pressure liquid refrigerant to achieve a lower pressure combination of liquid and vapor. As hot air moves across evaporator 16, the low pressure liquid turns into gas, thereby removing heat from evaporator 16. The low pressure gas is again delivered to compressor 10 where it is compressed to a high pressure gas, and delivered to condenser 12 to start the refrigeration cycle again.

Compressor 10 may be monitored and controlled by a control module 25. Control module 25 includes a computer readable medium for storing data including the software executed by a processor to monitor and control compressor 10 and to perform the algorithms of the present teachings.

As described in the disclosure titled “VARIABLE SPEED COMPRESSOR PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/978,258, which is incorporated herein by reference, suction superheat (SSH) may be used to monitor or predict an overheat condition of compressor 10. As described therein, an overheat condition is undesirable and may result in damage to compressor 10, a compressor component, or a refrigeration system component.

A compressor floodback or overheat condition is undesirable and may cause damage to compressor 10 or other refrigeration system components. Suction super heat (SSH) and/or discharge super heat (DSH) may be correlated to a flood back or overheating condition of compressor 10 and may be monitored to detect and/or predict a flood back or overheating condition of compressor 10. DSH is the difference between the temperature of refrigerant vapor leaving the compressor, referred to as discharge line temperature (DLT) and the saturated condenser temperature (Tcond). Suction super heat (SSH) is the difference between the temperature of refrigerant vapor entering the compressor, referred to as suction line temperature (SLT) and saturated evaporator temperature (Tevap).

SSH and DSH may be correlated as shown in FIG. 4. The correlation between DSH and SSH may be particularly accurate for scroll type compressors, with outside ambient temperature being only a secondary effect. As shown in FIG. 4, correlations between DSH and SSH are shown for outdoor temperatures (ODT) of one-hundred fifteen degrees Fahrenheit, ninety-five degrees Fahrenheit, seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit, and fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. The correlation shown in FIG. 4 is an example only and specific correlations for specific compressors may vary by compressor type, model, capacity, etc.

A flood back condition may occur when SSH is approaching zero degrees or when DSH is approaching twenty to forty degrees Fahrenheit. With respect to overheating, when SSH is between thirty degrees Fahrenheit and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, the onset of an overheating condition may occur. When SSH is greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit or when DSH is greater than one-hundred degrees Fahrenheit, a severe overheating condition may be present.

In FIG. 4, typical SSH temperatures for exemplar refrigerant charge levels are shown. For example, as the percentage of refrigerant charge in refrigeration system 5 decreases, SSH typically increases.

With reference to FIG. 1, evaporator 16 may include an evaporator temperature sensor 40 that may sense an evaporator temperature. Alternatively, an evaporator pressure sensor may be used. Control module 25 receives evaporating temperature (Tevap) from evaporator temperature sensor 40.

A suction sensor 34 monitors a temperature of refrigerant entering compressor 10 (i.e., SLT). Alternatively, a combination suction temperature/pressure sensor may be used. In such case, control module 25 may receive SLT from the temperature portion of the sensor and Tevap from the pressure portion of the sensor, as Tevap may be derived or measured based on suction pressure. Further, Tevap may be derived from other system parameters, as disclosed in the disclosure titled “VARIABLE SPEED COMPRESSOR PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/978,258, which is incorporated herein by reference.

For example, Tevap may be derived as a function of Tcond and DLT, as described in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 11/059,646, U.S. Publication No. 2005/0235660. For variable speed compressors, the correlation may also reflect compressor speed. In this way, Tevap may be derived as a function of Tcond, DLT and compressor speed.

As shown in FIG. 5, Tevap is shown correlated with DLT, for various Tcond levels. For this reason, compressor map data for different speeds may be used.

Tcond and Tevap may be calculated based on a single derivation.

In addition, iterative calculations may be made based on the following equations:
Tcond=f(compressor power, compressor speed, Tevap)  Equation 1
Tevap=f(Tcond, DLT, compressor speed)  Equation 2

Multiple iterations of these equations may be performed to achieve convergence. For example, three iterations may provide optimal convergence. As discussed above, more or less iteration, or no iterations, may be used.

Tevap and Tcond may also be determined by using compressor map data, for different speeds, based on DLT and compressor power, based on the following equations:
Tevap=f(compressor power, compressor speed, DLT)  Equation 3
Tcond=f(compressor power, compressor speed, DLT)  Equation 4

Control module 25 may calculate Tevap or receive Tevap data from the pressure portion of sensor 34. Control module 25 may then calculate SSH as a difference between SLT and Tevap.

As shown in FIG. 1, suction sensor 34 is external to compressor 10 and monitors a temperature of refrigerant as it is entering the suction inlet of compressor 10. Alternatively, a suction sensor internal to the compressor may be used. As shown in FIG. 2, a suction sensor 32 may be disposed within a shell of compressor 10. In such case, SLT may be communicated to control module 25 through an electrical connection via terminal box 24.

Control module 25 may monitor an overheat condition of compressor 10 by comparing SSH with a predetermined overheat threshold. As shown in FIG. 3, control module 25 receives SLT data in step 302. In step 304, control module 25 receives Tevap from evaporator temperature sensor 40. In step 306, control module 25 calculates SSH based on SLT and Tevap. Alternatively, Tevap may be estimated or derived based on other sensed parameters, as described above and in the disclosure titled “VARIABLE SPEED COMPRESSOR PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/978,258, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In step 308, control module compares SSH with a predetermined threshold to determine whether an overheat condition exists.

Control module 25 may determine that compressor 10 is operating within a normal temperature range when SSH is between zero and thirty degrees Fahrenheit. When SSH is between thirty degrees Fahrenheit and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, control module 25 may detect an overheat condition and take responsive measures. A SSH temperature above fifty degrees Fahrenheit may indicate that components of the compressor, including the compressor scrolls, bearings, etc., are at risk of being damaged.

Control module 25 may also determine whether SSH is greater than a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time. For example, control module 25 may determine when SSH is between thirty degrees and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, or greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, for a predetermined period. For example, the predetermined period may be a number of minutes (e.g., one minute, two minutes, five minutes, etc.). A first predetermined period (e.g., five minutes) may be used for monitoring when SSH is between thirty degrees and fifty degrees Fahrenheit. A second predetermined period, shorter than the first predetermined period, (e.g., one minute or two minutes) may be used for monitoring when SSH is greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit. It is understood that any time period may be used as appropriate.

As described in the disclosure titled “VARIABLE SPEED COMPRESSOR PROTECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD”, U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/978,258, which is incorporated herein by reference, in response to an overheat condition, control module 25 may adjust compressor operation and/or adjust expansion valve 14. In a severe overheat condition, control module 25 may stop operation of compressor 10. Control module 25 may also generate an alarm or notification that an overheat condition exists.

As shown in FIG. 6, a compressor operating envelope may provide maximum flood back and maximum SSH limits. In addition, a maximum scroll temperature limit (Tscroll) may be provided, in the case of a scroll compressor. In addition, a maximum motor temperature (Tmotor) may be provided. As shown in FIG. 6, compressor speed and expansion valve 14 may be adjusted based on SSH to insure compressor operation within the compressor operating envelope. In this way, SSH may be maintained within an acceptable range as indicated by FIG. 6.

For example, at a SSH between thirty degrees Fahrenheit and fifty degrees Fahrenheit, control module 25 may reduce compressor speed or cause expansion valve 14 to open. At a SSH greater than fifty degrees Fahrenheit, control module 25 may stop operation of compressor 25.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a compressor connected to an evaporator;
a suction sensor that outputs a suction signal corresponding to a temperature of refrigerant entering said compressor;
a control module connected to said suction sensor that determines an evaporator temperature, that calculates a suction superheat temperature based on said evaporator temperature and said suction signal, that monitors an overheat condition of said compressor by comparing said suction superheat temperature with a predetermined temperature range having an upper limit temperature and a lower limit temperature, and that reduces a speed of said compressor to a reduced speed and operates said compressor at said reduced speed when it is determined that said suction superheat temperature is between said upper limit temperature and said lower limit temperature, said reduced speed being determined based on said suction superheat temperature.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said control module stops said compressor when said suction superheat is greater than said upper limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said upper limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said lower limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range is thirty degrees Fahrenheit and said upper limit temperature is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said control module adjusts said speed of said compressor when said control module determines that said suction superheat temperature is between said upper limit temperature and said lower limit temperature for a predetermined time period.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an expansion valve connected to said evaporator, wherein said control module increases an opening of said expansion valve when said suction superheat temperature is between said upper limit temperature and said lower limit temperature.

7. A system comprising:

a compressor connected to an evaporator;
an expansion valve connected to said evaporator;
a suction sensor that outputs a suction signal corresponding to a temperature of refrigerant entering said compressor;
a control module connected to said suction sensor that determines an evaporator temperature, that calculates a suction superheat temperature based on said evaporator temperature and said suction signal, that monitors an overheat condition of said compressor by comparing said suction superheat temperature with a predetermined temperature range having an upper limit temperature and a lower limit temperature, and that increases an opening of said expansion valve when said suction superheat temperature is determined to be between said upper limit temperature and said lower limit temperature, said increase of said opening of said expansion valve being determined based on said suction superheat temperature.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said control module reduces a speed of said compressor to a reduced speed and operates said compressor at said reduced speed when said suction superheat temperature is between said upper limit temperature and said lower limit temperature.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said upper limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein said lower limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range is thirty degrees Fahrenheit and said upper limit temperature is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

11. A method comprising:

determining an evaporator temperature of an evaporator connected to a compressor;
receiving a suction signal that corresponds to a temperature of refrigerant entering said compressor;
calculating a suction superheat temperature based on said evaporator temperature and said suction signal;
monitoring an overheat condition of said compressor by comparing said suction superheat with a predetermined temperature range having an upper limit temperature and a lower limit temperature; and
performing, when said suction superheat temperature is determined to be within said predetermined temperature range, at least one of: reducing a speed of said compressor to a reduced speed determined based on said suction superheat temperature and operating said compressor at said reduced speed; and increasing an opening of said expansion valve, said increase being based on said suction superheat temperature.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising stopping said compressor when said suction superheat is greater than said upper limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said upper limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said lower limit temperature of said predetermined temperature range is thirty degrees Fahrenheit and said upper limit temperature is fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

15. The method of claim 11 further comprising reducing said speed of said compressor when said suction superheat temperature is between said upper limit temperature and said lower limit temperature for a predetermined time period.

Referenced Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
2883255 April 1959 Anderson
2981076 April 1961 Gaugler et al.
3082609 March 1963 Ryan et al.
3242321 March 1966 Chope
3600657 August 1971 Pfaff et al.
4130997 December 26, 1978 Hara et al.
4280910 July 28, 1981 Baumann
4370564 January 25, 1983 Matsushita
4460861 July 17, 1984 Rosa
4461153 July 24, 1984 Lindner et al.
4527399 July 9, 1985 Lord
4653280 March 31, 1987 Hansen et al.
4750338 June 14, 1988 Hingst
4940929 July 10, 1990 Williams
5056712 October 15, 1991 Enck
5182918 February 2, 1993 Manz et al.
5258901 November 2, 1993 Fraidlin
5269146 December 14, 1993 Kerner
5291115 March 1, 1994 Ehsani
5315214 May 24, 1994 Lesea
5347467 September 13, 1994 Staroselsky et al.
5359276 October 25, 1994 Mammano
5359281 October 25, 1994 Barrow et al.
5410221 April 25, 1995 Mattas et al.
5410235 April 25, 1995 Ehsani
5440218 August 8, 1995 Oldenkamp
5502970 April 2, 1996 Rajendran
5519300 May 21, 1996 Leon et al.
5603222 February 18, 1997 Dube
5603227 February 18, 1997 Holden et al.
5646499 July 8, 1997 Doyama et al.
5663627 September 2, 1997 Ogawa
5712551 January 27, 1998 Lee
5712802 January 27, 1998 Kumar et al.
5742103 April 21, 1998 Ashok
5786992 July 28, 1998 Vinciarelli et al.
5903138 May 11, 1999 Hwang et al.
5960207 September 28, 1999 Brown
5963442 October 5, 1999 Yoshida et al.
6005365 December 21, 1999 Kaneko et al.
6028406 February 22, 2000 Birk
6035653 March 14, 2000 Itoh et al.
6041609 March 28, 2000 Hornsleth et al.
6065298 May 23, 2000 Fujimoto
6073457 June 13, 2000 Kampf et al.
6091215 July 18, 2000 Lovett et al.
6091233 July 18, 2000 Hwang et al.
6102665 August 15, 2000 Centers et al.
6116040 September 12, 2000 Stark
6222746 April 24, 2001 Kim
6226998 May 8, 2001 Reason et al.
6236183 May 22, 2001 Schroeder
6236193 May 22, 2001 Paul
6259614 July 10, 2001 Ribarich et al.
6281656 August 28, 2001 Masaki et al.
6281658 August 28, 2001 Han et al.
6316918 November 13, 2001 Underwood et al.
6326750 December 4, 2001 Marcinkiewicz
6344725 February 5, 2002 Kaitani et al.
6370888 April 16, 2002 Grabon
6373200 April 16, 2002 Nerone et al.
6396229 May 28, 2002 Sakamoto et al.
6404154 June 11, 2002 Marcinkiewicz et al.
6406265 June 18, 2002 Hahn et al.
6414462 July 2, 2002 Chong
6424107 July 23, 2002 Lu
6446618 September 10, 2002 Hill
6462492 October 8, 2002 Sakamoto et al.
6471486 October 29, 2002 Centers et al.
6523361 February 25, 2003 Higashiyama
6532754 March 18, 2003 Haley et al.
6539734 April 1, 2003 Weyna
6583593 June 24, 2003 Iijima et al.
6636011 October 21, 2003 Sadasivam et al.
6657877 December 2, 2003 Kashima et al.
6670784 December 30, 2003 Odachi et al.
6688124 February 10, 2004 Stark et al.
6698217 March 2, 2004 Tanimoto et al.
6708507 March 23, 2004 Sem et al.
6714425 March 30, 2004 Yamada et al.
6735284 May 11, 2004 Cheong et al.
6749404 June 15, 2004 Gennami et al.
6753670 June 22, 2004 Kadah
6756753 June 29, 2004 Marcinkiewicz
6756757 June 29, 2004 Marcinkiewicz et al.
6758050 July 6, 2004 Jayanth et al.
6767851 July 27, 2004 Rokman et al.
6788024 September 7, 2004 Kaneko et al.
6815925 November 9, 2004 Chen et al.
6825637 November 30, 2004 Kinpara et al.
6828751 December 7, 2004 Sadasivam et al.
6831439 December 14, 2004 Won et al.
6876171 April 5, 2005 Lee
6915646 July 12, 2005 Kadle et al.
6955039 October 18, 2005 Nomura et al.
6966759 November 22, 2005 Hahn et al.
6967851 November 22, 2005 Yang et al.
6982533 January 3, 2006 Seibel et al.
6984948 January 10, 2006 Nakata et al.
7005829 February 28, 2006 Schnetzka
7049774 May 23, 2006 Chin et al.
7095208 August 22, 2006 Kawaji et al.
7138777 November 21, 2006 Won et al.
7154237 December 26, 2006 Welchko et al.
7176644 February 13, 2007 Ueda et al.
7184902 February 27, 2007 El-Ibiary
7208895 April 24, 2007 Marcinkiewicz et al.
7234305 June 26, 2007 Nomura et al.
7272018 September 18, 2007 Yamada et al.
7307401 December 11, 2007 Gataric et al.
7342379 March 11, 2008 Marcinkiewicz et al.
7375485 May 20, 2008 Shahi et al.
7458223 December 2, 2008 Pham
7554271 June 30, 2009 Thiery et al.
7580272 August 25, 2009 Taguchi et al.
7595613 September 29, 2009 Thompson et al.
7605570 October 20, 2009 Liu et al.
7613018 November 3, 2009 Lim et al.
7660139 February 9, 2010 Garabandic
7667986 February 23, 2010 Artusi et al.
7675759 March 9, 2010 Artusi et al.
7683568 March 23, 2010 Pande et al.
7688608 March 30, 2010 Oettinger et al.
7723964 May 25, 2010 Taguchi
7733678 June 8, 2010 Notohamiprodjo et al.
7738228 June 15, 2010 Taylor
7782033 August 24, 2010 Turchi et al.
7821237 October 26, 2010 Melanson
7895003 February 22, 2011 Caillat
20010022939 September 20, 2001 Morita et al.
20020047635 April 25, 2002 Ribarich et al.
20020062656 May 30, 2002 Suitou et al.
20020108384 August 15, 2002 Higashiyama
20020117989 August 29, 2002 Kawabata et al.
20020157408 October 31, 2002 Egawa et al.
20020162339 November 7, 2002 Harrison et al.
20030019221 January 30, 2003 Rossi et al.
20030077179 April 24, 2003 Collins et al.
20030085621 May 8, 2003 Potega
20030094004 May 22, 2003 Pham et al.
20030146290 August 7, 2003 Wang et al.
20030182956 October 2, 2003 Kurita et al.
20040011020 January 22, 2004 Nomura et al.
20040061472 April 1, 2004 Won et al.
20040070364 April 15, 2004 Cheong et al.
20040085785 May 6, 2004 Taimela
20040100221 May 27, 2004 Fu
20040119434 June 24, 2004 Dadd
20040183491 September 23, 2004 Sidey
20040221594 November 11, 2004 Suzuki et al.
20040261448 December 30, 2004 Nishijima et al.
20050047179 March 3, 2005 Lesea
20050204760 September 22, 2005 Kurita et al.
20050235660 October 27, 2005 Pham
20050235661 October 27, 2005 Pham
20050235662 October 27, 2005 Pham
20050235663 October 27, 2005 Pham
20050247073 November 10, 2005 Hikawa et al.
20050262849 December 1, 2005 Nomura et al.
20050270814 December 8, 2005 Oh
20060041335 February 23, 2006 Rossi et al.
20060042276 March 2, 2006 Doll et al.
20060048530 March 9, 2006 Jun et al.
20060056210 March 16, 2006 Yamada et al.
20060090490 May 4, 2006 Grimm et al.
20060117773 June 8, 2006 Street et al.
20060123809 June 15, 2006 Ha et al.
20060130501 June 22, 2006 Singh et al.
20060130504 June 22, 2006 Agrawal et al.
20060150651 July 13, 2006 Goto et al.
20060158912 July 20, 2006 Wu et al.
20060185373 August 24, 2006 Butler et al.
20060187693 August 24, 2006 Tang
20060198172 September 7, 2006 Wood
20060198744 September 7, 2006 Lifson et al.
20060247895 November 2, 2006 Jayanth
20060255772 November 16, 2006 Chen
20060261830 November 23, 2006 Taylor
20060290302 December 28, 2006 Marcinkiewicz et al.
20070012052 January 18, 2007 Butler et al.
20070029987 February 8, 2007 Li
20070040524 February 22, 2007 Sarlioglu et al.
20070040534 February 22, 2007 Ghosh et al.
20070089424 April 26, 2007 Venkataramani et al.
20070118307 May 24, 2007 El-Ibiary
20070118308 May 24, 2007 El-Ibiary
20070132437 June 14, 2007 Scollo et al.
20070144354 June 28, 2007 Muller et al.
20080089792 April 17, 2008 Bae et al.
20080112823 May 15, 2008 Yoshida et al.
20080143289 June 19, 2008 Marcinkiewicz et al.
20080160840 July 3, 2008 Bax et al.
20080209925 September 4, 2008 Pham
20080216494 September 11, 2008 Pham et al.
20080232065 September 25, 2008 Lang et al.
20080252269 October 16, 2008 Feldtkeller et al.
20080265847 October 30, 2008 Woo et al.
20080272745 November 6, 2008 Melanson
20080272747 November 6, 2008 Melanson
20080273356 November 6, 2008 Melanson
20080278101 November 13, 2008 Shahi et al.
20080284399 November 20, 2008 Oettinger et al.
20080285318 November 20, 2008 Tan et al.
20090015214 January 15, 2009 Chen
20090015225 January 15, 2009 Turchi et al.
20090016087 January 15, 2009 Shimizu
20090026999 January 29, 2009 Atarashi
20090033296 February 5, 2009 Hammerstrom
20090039852 February 12, 2009 Fishelov et al.
20090059625 March 5, 2009 Viitanen et al.
20090071175 March 19, 2009 Pham
20090091961 April 9, 2009 Hsia et al.
20090094997 April 16, 2009 McSweeney
20090140680 June 4, 2009 Park
20090237963 September 24, 2009 Prasad et al.
20090243561 October 1, 2009 Tan et al.
20090273330 November 5, 2009 Sisson
20090290395 November 26, 2009 Osaka
20090295347 December 3, 2009 Popescu et al.
20090303765 December 10, 2009 Shimizu et al.
20090316454 December 24, 2009 Colbeck et al.
20100007317 January 14, 2010 Yang
20100014326 January 21, 2010 Gu et al.
20100014329 January 21, 2010 Zhang et al.
20100052601 March 4, 2010 Pummer
20100052641 March 4, 2010 Popescu et al.
20100066283 March 18, 2010 Kitanaka
20100079125 April 1, 2010 Melanson et al.
20100080026 April 1, 2010 Zhang
20100109615 May 6, 2010 Hwang et al.
20100109626 May 6, 2010 Chen
20100118571 May 13, 2010 Saint-Pierre
20100118576 May 13, 2010 Osaka
20100128503 May 27, 2010 Liu et al.
20100156377 June 24, 2010 Siegler
20100165683 July 1, 2010 Sugawara
20100181930 July 22, 2010 Hopwood et al.
20100187914 July 29, 2010 Rada et al.
20100202169 August 12, 2010 Gaboury et al.
20100226149 September 9, 2010 Masumoto
20100246220 September 30, 2010 Irving et al.
20100246226 September 30, 2010 Ku et al.
20100253307 October 7, 2010 Chen et al.
20100259230 October 14, 2010 Boothroyd
20100270984 October 28, 2010 Park et al.
20100301787 December 2, 2010 Gallegos-Lopez et al.
20100301788 December 2, 2010 Chen et al.
20110138826 June 16, 2011 Lifson et al.
Foreign Patent Documents
1697954 November 2005 CN
1806478 July 2006 CN
1987258 June 2007 CN
55155134 December 1980 JP
61272483 December 1986 JP
01167556 July 1989 JP
2004163 January 1990 JP
03129255 June 1991 JP
04344073 November 1992 JP
07035393 February 1995 JP
09196524 July 1997 JP
1998097331 April 1998 JP
10153353 June 1998 JP
10160271 June 1998 JP
H10-153353 June 1998 JP
11159895 June 1999 JP
11287497 October 1999 JP
2000297970 October 2000 JP
2001317470 November 2001 JP
2002013858 January 2002 JP
2002243246 August 2002 JP
2003156244 May 2003 JP
2004135491 April 2004 JP
2005-003710 January 2005 JP
2005132167 May 2005 JP
2005282972 October 2005 JP
2006177214 July 2006 JP
2006188954 July 2006 JP
2006233820 September 2006 JP
2007198230 August 2007 JP
2007198705 August 2007 JP
10-1996-0024115 July 1996 KR
2001-0044273 June 2001 KR
2003-0011415 February 2003 KR
2005-0059842 June 2005 KR
20050085544 August 2005 KR
20070071407 July 2007 KR
2004059822 July 2004 WO
WO-2004083744 September 2004 WO
2005101939 October 2005 WO
2009048566 May 2009 WO
Other references
  • JP 2000-297970 (English Abstract).
  • International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011576 dated Mar. 23, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011576 dated Mar. 20, 2009.
  • International Search Report regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011464 dated Mar. 13, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority regarding International Application No. PCT/US2008/011464 dated Mar. 13, 2009.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011442, dated Apr. 7, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011596, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011441, dated Apr. 7, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011570, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011464, dated Apr. 7, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011593, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011597, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011590, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011589, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Preliminary Report on Patentability for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011576, dated Apr. 13, 2010.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011442 dated Feb. 3, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Applicatoin No. PCT/US2008/011596, dated Feb. 25, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011441, dated Jan. 30, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011570, dated May 26, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011570, dated May 26, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011593, dated Jun. 17, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011593, dated Jun. 17, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011597, dated Jun. 19, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011597, dated Jun. 19, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011590, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
  • International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011589, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011442, dated Feb. 3, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011596, dated Feb. 25, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011441, dated Jan. 30, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011589, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
  • Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/US2008/011590, dated Feb. 27, 2009.
  • Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,825, dated Jan. 4, 2011.
  • Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Feb. 25, 2011.
  • Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Mar. 3, 2011.
  • Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,893, dated Apr. 1, 2011.
  • Notification of First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110665.0, dated Apr. 8, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys At Law.
  • Notice of Grounds for Rejection from the Korean Intellectual Property Office regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7009374, dated May 31, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Change & Associates.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,825, dated Jun. 14, 2011.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Jun. 21, 2011.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,893, dated Aug. 1, 2011.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Aug. 17, 2011.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Sep. 1, 2011.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Sep. 1, 2011.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Sep. 6, 2011.
  • Notification of the Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110665.0, dated Apr. 5, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7006707, dated May 22, 2012. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Jun. 6, 2012.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Jun. 6, 2012.
  • Non-Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Jun. 13, 2012.
  • Appeal Brief regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Feb. 1, 2012
  • Examiner's Answer to Appellant's Appeal Brief regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Mar. 26, 2012.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,416, dated Nov. 15, 2011.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Oct. 12, 2011.
  • Notice of Appeal from the Examiner to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences and Pre-Appeal Brief Request for Review regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Dec. 1, 2011.
  • Notice of Final Rejection from the Korean Intellectual Property Office regarding Korean Application No. 10-2010-7009374, dated Nov. 18, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notice of Panel Decision from Pre-Appeal Brief Review regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,001, dated Dec. 27, 2011.
  • Notification of First Office action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110484.8, dated Dec. 23, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Notification of First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110590.6, dated Feb. 29, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007375, dated Dec. 7, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007581, dated Nov. 14, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7007583 from the Korean Intellectual Property Office, dated Dec. 28, 2011. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7009659, dated Feb. 8, 2012. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880111091.9 dated Nov. 23, 2011. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,825, dated Oct. 12, 2011.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Mar. 1, 2012.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,416, dated Aug. 8, 2011.
  • Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,893, dated Dec. 7, 2011.
  • “Electrical Power vs Mechanical Power,” by Suvo, http://www.brighthubengineering.com/machine-design/62310-electrical-power-vs-mechanical-power/; dated Jan. 25, 2010; 2 pages.
  • “Solving System of Equations by Substitution,” by http://cstl.syr.edu/fipse/algebra/unit5/subst.htm, dated Aug. 30, 2012; 4 pages.
  • Applicant-Initiated Interview Summary regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Sep. 5, 2012.
  • Applicant-Initiated Interview Summary regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Sep. 6, 2012.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/244,387, dated Aug. 13, 2012.
  • Final Office Action regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Dec. 4, 2012.
  • Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,959, dated Feb. 14, 2013.
  • Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/246,927, dated Dec. 21, 2012.
  • Notice of Allowance and Fees Due regarding U.S. Appl. No. 12/247,020, dated Jan. 4, 2013.
  • Notification of Final Rejection from Korean Intellectual Property Office regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7006707, dated Apr. 2, 2013. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notification of First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110616.7, dated Jul. 4, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Notification of Grounds for Refusal regarding Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-7006707, dated Oct. 23, 2012. Translation provided by Y.S. Chang & Associates.
  • Notification of the First Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Application No. 2008801110726, dated Jun. 5, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110616.7, dated Apr. 1, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 200880110785.0, dated Dec. 28, 2012. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Second Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 2008801110726, dated Mar. 15, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
  • Third Chinese Office Action from the State Intellectual Property Office of People's Republic of China regarding Chinese Patent Application No. 20088011109.9, dated Feb. 18, 2013. Translation provided by Unitalen Attorneys at Law.
Patent History
Patent number: 8539786
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 7, 2008
Date of Patent: Sep 24, 2013
Patent Publication Number: 20090090117
Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc. (Sidney, OH)
Inventor: Daniel L. McSweeney (Sidney, OH)
Primary Examiner: Marc Norman
Assistant Examiner: Jonathan Bradford
Application Number: 12/247,033